Want to participate in a sex study?

Listed below are links to ongoing studies of human sexuality by researchers around the world. You are eligible to participate in as many as you would like, depending upon whether you meet the selection criteria.

If you are a researcher and would like your study added to this page, please email a one-paragraph description modeled after the postings below to drlehmiller@gmail.com. This paragraph should include the title and weblink/contact information for your survey, a sentence about the selection criteria (e.g., age, gender, or sexuality restrictions), and a sentence or two describing what will be asked of participants. Although it will not be posted on this page, please email the anticipated end date for data collection, as well as a note indicating whether your study has been approved by an IRB or ethics committee.

Thank you for your contributions to the science of sex!

The Relationship between Abstinence-Based Sex Education and Sociosexuality(Xavier University of Louisiana) - Participant Criteria: Participants must be between the ages of 18-26 and in a noncommitted relationship (i.e., single/dating).Procedure: Participants will be asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, The Sociosexual Orientation Inventory, and a personalized questionnaire (compilation of the Sexual Restrictedness Survey and the Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Test for Adolescents). After survey completion, participants have the option of participating in a 15-minute semi-structured qualitative interview assessing home life, community and cultural influences, school, sexual experiences, and personal beliefs. [Added May 20, 2019]

Queer and Kinky in Counseling (Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis) - The purpose of this study is to examine the experience and outcomes of disclosing a kinky sexuality to mental health professionals. Participants in this study will schedule and complete an interview with the researcher about their experiences: therapists' reactions, their feelings during and afterward, and so on. Interviews should last no more than 90 minutes and can be conducted by phone or Skype. No identifying information will be collected, but the interview topic may be sensitive. This study is open to English-speaking adults who: (1) are not heterosexual (aces welcome) and/or not cisgender; (2) have some form of kinky sexual interests (for example, BDSM); and (3) have discussed those interests in a therapy setting. If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please contact millkelu@iupui.edu for information. [Added April 9, 2019]

Sexual Experiences of Gay and Bisexual Men (University of Kansas) – The goal of this research is to understand the unwanted sexual experiences of gay and bisexual men. Participation in this study will require answering some multiple choice and open-ended questions about details surrounding your sexual experiences as well as answering some demographic questions about yourself. You do not have to have had an unwanted sexual experience to participate. This study will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Eligibility: Participants must identify as gay and bisexual adult men (age 18+). [Added April 8, 2019]

The Relationship Visibility Study (Kwantlen Polytechnic University) - This study is interested in how social media usage influences the outcomes of romantic relationships. Participating will require answering some questions about your relationship satisfaction, social media use, and your potential response to relationships troubles. You will also be asked some questions about yourself (i.e., demographic questions such as your age, sexual orientation, and self-perceptions). This study will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Eligibility: open to individuals of all gender and sexual orientation identities who are currently in a relationship. [Added March 16, 2019]

The Influence of Body Shape on Impressions of Traits(Kwantlen Polytechnic University) - The purpose of this study is to gather opinions on the traits associated with different body types. Participating in this study requires answering some questions about yourself (i.e., demographic questions such as your age, sexual orientation, and relationship status). You will then be exposed to 3D-modelled bodies of various shapes and sizes and asked your opinion regarding their traits. This study will take approximately 25 minutes of your time. Eligibility - open to individuals of all gender and sexual orientation identities. [Added February 15, 2019]

Cognition and Arousal Study (Queen’s University) - The goal of this research is to better understand factors influencing genital arousal sensations and perceptions. Completion of online questionnaires asking about bodily sensations and perceptions following 2 brief videos will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. We are currently looking for individuals 18+ who do not experience sexual difficulties, are comfortable watching videos that contain sexually explicit material, and are able to read and write in English. [Added February 11, 2019]

Perceptions of Variation in Female Genitalia (Kwantlen Polytechnic University) - The purpose of this study is to gather opinions about the appearance of female genitalia. Participating in this study requires answering some questions about yourself (i.e., demographic questions such as your age, sexual orientation, and relationship status) and about your personal viewing habits (if any) of sexually explicit material. You will then be exposed to various images of vulvas and asked your opinion regarding their appearance. This study will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. Eligibility: open to individuals of all gender and sexual orientation identities [Added January 16, 2019]

The Influence of Irregular Menstrual Status on Attitudes Toward Sexuality (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)- The purpose of this study is to examine whether the consistency and severity of women's menstruation impacts psychosexual variables such as genital self-esteem, attitudes toward sex and sexuality, quality of sex life, and sexual behaviors. Our online survey is completely anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes of time to complete. Eligibility: Female participants 16 years of age or older. [Added January 8, 2019]

Online Writing Intervention for Sexual Distress in Women (University of Texas at Austin) - The Sexual Psychophysiology Lab at the University of Texas at Austin is recruiting women from across the U.S. who have had nonconsensual or abusive sexual experiences in their childhood or adolescence to participate in a study assessing a novel treatment aimed at reducing sexual distress. Study participation is done entirely online(aside from a phone screen for eligibility) and involves completing questionnaires three times and engaging in expressive writing sessions five times over the course of three weeks. Participants will be compensated $40 in Visa e-gift cards across the sessions. All data collected is completely confidential. Women (cis- and trans- inclusive) who are over the age of 18, able to read and write in English, residing in the U.S. may be eligible to participate. If you are interested in the study, please contact the Sexual Psychophysiology Lab for more information about the SEADS Study at (512) 232-4805, or mestonlab@utexas.edu. [Added October 28, 2018]

Extra-Pair Interests: The Design of a New Questionnaire (University of Sunderland) - We are seeking participants aged over the age of 18 to participate in this online research lasting 10-20 minutes. You must be in a relationship with at least one person to be eligible to take part. There is no hypothesis testing; the research is concerned with your perception and understanding of what constitutes extrapair interests, therefore you will be asked some sensitive questions. You do not have to respond though it is important that we ask you these questions. No personal or identifying information will be collected so none of your responses can be connected to you. The research has been approved by the University of Sunderland Research Ethics Group. [Added September 12, 2018]

Demographic factors in fidelity amongst couples (Regent's University London) – In this study, you will be asked to answer three surveys about your current relationship satisfaction, attitudes towards marriage, and fidelity. The data we collect do not contain any personal information about you. No one will link the data you provided to the identifying information you supplied (e.g., name, address, email). The participants should be in their current relationship for a minimum of 5 years. [Added September 4, 2018]

The Relationship Style Survey (James Cook University) – This is a quick online survey investigating individuals’ attitudes and behaviours in romantic relationships. People of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations, and relationship status are invited to participate. [Added August 19, 2018]

A Couples Study: Men Coping with Low Sexual Desire (Dalhousie University) - We are looking for men who experience problems with sexual desire, and their partners, to participate in research about couples’ romantic and sexual relationships. To be eligible to participate, both partners must agree and: be in a committed romantic relationship together for at least 6 months; see each other in-person at least 4 times a week; be 18 years or older; have previous sexual experience; reside in Canada or the United States; and be able to read and understand English. If eligible, then we will send both you and your partner a survey by email, which can be completed online and should take 60-75 minutes to complete. One year later, we will send you another shorter survey by email. [Added June 11, 2018]

Investigating Attitudes toward Sexual Orientation and Casual Sex (Kwantlen Polytechnic University) - Eligibility: Open to individuals of all gender and sexual identities over the age of 16 years. Description: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between sexual history and attitudes about sex in order to better our understanding of human sexuality. Participants will read about a sexual scenario involving a fictitious person and will then answer questions about what they have read. The online survey is anonymous and confidential and should take only 15 minutes to complete. [Added May 9, 2018]

Development and Validation of Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire for Men-Who-Have-Sex-with-Men with Prostate Cancer (British Columbia Cancer Agency) – Eligibility: 1) are between the age of 18 and 75, 2) have previous sexual experience with men, and 3) have been previously treated for prostate cancer with surgery, external beam radiation, or brachytherapy, with/without hormone therapy. Description: The goal of this study is to develop a survey to assess sexual function after prostate cancer treatment specific for gay or bisexual men. Participation involves completion of a set of questions online with focus on sexual quality of life. There are also questions regarding general demographics and prostate cancer diagnosis. This study will take about 20-60 minutes. [Added April 15, 2018]

Willingness to Engage in Sexual Behavior (University of Arkansas) – Eligibility: You must be 18 or older to participate. Description: The purpose of this online study is to better understand how the process of willingness to engage in sexual behavior unfolds. Participation will take approximately 30 minutes. [Added March 31, 2018]

Please direct all comments and questions about specific studies to the researcher(s) associated with those studies. Sex and Psychology is not responsible for the content or quality of any studies listed on this page. Although researchers must certify that their studies have been approved by an IRB prior to having them posted here, Sex and Psychology does not monitor compliance with IRB policies and procedures and is not responsible directly or indirectly for any loss or damage associated with participation in any of these studies.